West Dean Professional Knowledge Network

West Dean Professional Knowledge Network

West Dean is internationally recognised for excellence in conservation, arts and design education. The college offer a uniquely broad range of courses taught by industry experts, who are often leaders in their field, our students are encouraged to develop their practice and reach their true potential.

If you are interested in developing your professional practice, sector knowledge and making connections, West Dean's Professional Knowledge Network talks and courses are for you. 

Join us for talks by industry-leading theorists and practitioners that will offer an insight into key topics and areas that are shaping the future of arts, design and conservation. 

The Sustainable Designer

An exciting new programme of talks by industry-leading theorists and practitioners, intended to challenge the industry and education to rethink the way that we approach sustainability.

Delivered across eight, 90-minutes sessions we invite an industry specialist to share their work, experience, and thoughts to spark discussion and debate.

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Series overview

While there is a clear need for the built environment industry, representing around 40% of UK CO2 emissions, to develop environmentally sustainable practices; sustainability is more than just the environment. Sustainability is a complex relationship between the pressures of our social, cultural, economic, and environmental contexts.

Through the eight sessions of this series, we hope to broaden the discussion of how designers, in the built environment industries, can better meet the challenges of addressing the complex contexts that are contingent upon questions of sustainability. From the reuse of materials and products to issues of well-being, this series will inspire and provoke students and professionals to consider the future of a practice which integrates a greater awareness of sustainability across social, cultural, economic, and environmental contexts.

At the core of this series is the question “How do we make sustainability central to the practice of interior design?”

Talk 1: Introduction to Wellbeing and Biophilic Design

In this online talk, Oliver Heath will share his knowledge, thoughts and experience based on many years of research and practice in the areas of wellbeing and biophilic design.
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Talk 2: Routes into Sustainability

In this online talk, Chloe Bullock will be discussing the use of project goals to engage teams and clients in sustainably-driven projects.
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Talk 3: Vegan, Cruelty-free Design

In this online talk, Helen Winter will discuss the opportunities for design to be vegan and cruelty-free.
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Talk 4: Human Centred Design

In this online talk, Jecks Stone will discuss her work designing environmentally conscious interiors that are response to user need.
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Talk 5: Awe and Regenerative Design

In this online talk, Vanessa Champion will discuss her research and work on the effects of biophilia in design.
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Talk 6: Professional Upcycling

In this online talk, Chris Billingshurst will the opportunities and sustainability benefits of upcycling.
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Talk 7: Communicating Sustainability

In this online talk, Roddy Clark will discuss the challenges. opportunities and strategies for communicating the benefits of sustainable approaches to design.
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Talk 8: Delyth Featherston-Dilke

In our final online talk, of this series, Delyth will discuss her work in upholstery and using natural materials.
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Leadership in Design

In this new series we invite six diverse individuals to explore aspects of leadership in relation to design. From the leadership role in developing ourselves and our teams, to ensuring inclusivity, and becoming a visionary leader, we will explore the topic through different lenses.

Delivered across six, 90-minutes sessions we invite an industry specialist to share their work, experience, and thoughts to spark discussion and debate.

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Leadership in Design Talks

Series overview

The realisation of design is a collaborative effort. While we may, as designers, execute our ‘process’ as individuals; developing our ideas and proposals, we require others to assist in making design a reality. Within this collaboration, leadership is key to both building our teams and how we lead clients, consultants and stakeholders to embrace the opportunities and outcomes of design.  

In the Leadership in Design series, we invite six diverse individuals to explore aspects of leadership in relation to design. From the leadership role in developing ourselves and our teams, to ensuring inclusivity, to becoming a visionary leader, we will explore the topic through different lenses. Whether you are at the start of your professional journey or an established design professional, this series will empower you through developing your leadership skills and the mindset to drive design innovation through cohesive teams. 

Talk 1: Team Building and Collaboration

Anne Laboura discusses strategies for building high-performing design teams, fostering collaboration, and leveraging diverse perspectives to achieve collective goals. Topics may include team dynamics, communication, conflict resolution, and building a culture of trust and respect.
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Talk 2: Thought Leadership and Industry Trends

In this online talk, David Keech explores the role of design leaders as thought leaders within the industry, staying abreast of emerging trends and driving thought leadership initiatives through speaking engagements, publications, and industry involvement.
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Talk 3: Inclusive Leadership

Eva Sonaike examines the importance of inclusive leadership in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the design industry. Topics may include unconscious bias, cultural competence, and creating inclusive work environments.
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Talk 4: Visionary Leadership

Suzy Hoodless discusses the role of visionary leaders in setting a clear direction, inspiring creativity, and driving innovation within design firms and organizations.
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Talk 5: Professional Development and Mentorship

Susie Rumbold looks at the importance of ongoing learning, skill development, and mentorship in nurturing emerging design talent and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within design organisations.
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Talk 6: Design Vision and Direction

Inge Theron explores developing and communicating a clear design vision and direction for projects, teams, and organizations, and aligning design initiatives with broader business goals and objectives.
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FAQs

HOW DO I BOOK WEST DEAN PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK TALKS?

The West Dean Professional Knowledge Network talks are part of an exclusive programme running from September to November 2024. Booking for these events are being sold through our online booking partner TicketTailor. 

If you have any questions relating to one of these talks , please contact the bookings team at [email protected].

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

The West Dean Professional Knowledge Network events are subject to the following terms and conditions.

General information
The West Dean Professional Knowledge Network events are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The event fee covers access to the live event.

Refunds and cancellations
Refunds will not be offered for cancelled orders or non-attendance. We reserve the right to cancel an event in unusual circumstances. We try to avoid this where possible, but sometimes it is unavoidable. In this situation, a full refund of the fee for the cancelled event. 

Access
Access to the live event is by Zoom. You will be sent the unique joining link to the event by email after a ticket has been purchased. Upon purchasing a Membership, you will receive an email with your Membership Code. This Code will allow you to book your free tickets to the individual events in the series. Please note that a Membership is not a ticket and you will still need to book individual events, in order to receive the Zoom link for the events. If you do not receive these joining links, please contact [email protected]. We recommend testing your connection to Zoom before the live event. The events are not recorded and will start at the designated time. Please ensure you have installed the latest software version of Zoom and enabled the correct settings on your device before accessing the live event.

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean reserves the right to cancel or amend events if circumstances required.